DIRECTOR'S NOTE Little needs to be said about the unprecedented nature of this year. What has been apparent, to many of us, is that we need ways to connect to each other now more than ever. I can think of no better way to connect to our community than through storytelling. When challenged by the prospect of picking a show for this monumental time, I knew that the show had to include imagination, adventure, and it had to affirm the power of storytelling in order to connect and expand. In the fall, I presented two potential play ideas and asked for student feedback. Ultimately, the decision was the students’. When we hear their voices and listen to the ways in which they choose to connect to the broader community, we are all enriched by this process. I am humbled and grateful by their choice of The Little Prince. This play is based on the timeless classic by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. I like to think of this play as an adult story disguised as a children's book. That was very much our approach to making this production; determine and decipher the meaning of each character and parable, and present a whimsical visual interpretation that echoes the beloved picture book. Many thanks to the wonderful students, talented production team, and guidance of the community in helping to make this show possible. While the medium of film may not be how I originally envisioned telling this magical story, I am tremendously thankful for the learning experience. In gratitude, Kathryn Maslak
SPECIAL THANKS It truly takes a village to put on a production. There are not enough words for how grateful we are for everyone’s support and help in making this production possible.
-Ellen Mittelholzer -Students in French II: Eloise Jones, Janalle Nelson-Osae, Lucy Ware, Hunter Earle, Matthew Renwick
-Pankti Sevak -Penney Peterson -Krysta Wilson -Bryan Hogan -Caitlin Ironside -Alex Moquist -Jason Craig-Harris -Steve Borowka
-The Friends Seminary Performing Arts Department: Kristin, Bob, John, Tabb, Rochelle, Brian
-The parents and caretakers of our actors for their flexibility, patience, and willingness to help us rehearse and film in their homes!
SCENES
Scene 1: Introduction of the Aviator/ Prologue: Aviator, Chorus, Sketch Artist Scene 2: Plane Crash: Aviator, Chorus
Scene 3: Introduction of the Little Prince: Aviator, Little Prince Scene 4: Sunset: A viator, Little Prince
Scene 5: Beautiful Rose: A viator, Little Prince, Rose, Chorus
Scene 6: Eccentric King: Aviator, Little Prince, King
Scene 7: The Influencer: Conceited Man: A viator, Little Prince, Conceited Man
Scene 8: Rich Business Man: A viator, Little Prince, Business Man Scene 9: Dutiful Lamplighter: Aviator, Little Prince, Lamplighter Scene 10: The Geographer: Aviator, Little Prince, Lamplighter
Scene 11: A Deadly Snake: Aviator, Little Prince, Snake Scene 12: The Fight: Aviator, Little Prince
Scene 13: The Apology: A viator, Little Prince
Scene 14: Quick Adventures: Aviator, Little Prince, Desert Flower, Mountain Echo, Chorus Scene 15: Tame the fox: Little Prince, Fox
Scene 16; Searching for the Well: Aviator, Little Prince Scene 17: Journey Back: All Cast
Scene 18: Epilogue: Aviator, Sketch Artist
Littl e ce:
Aviator: Rose: Elisa Elbrami Snake Fox: Maddie Martinez King
PRODUCTION TEAM
Conceited Man/ Chorus: Maya Willoughby
Director: Kathryn Maslak
Business Man/ Sketch Artist
Assistant Director: Julie Hurley
Lamplighter: Sascha Belcove
Video Editor/ Scenic Designer: Antonio DiBernardo
Geographer: Will Garrity
Choreographer: Yael Nachajon Video Editor: Alex Talbot
Desert Flower/ Chorus: Sejal Patel
Stage Management: Lila Safer-Bakal
Mountain Echo/ Chorus: Julian Vink
Playbill Design: Sejal Patel
Chorus/ Baobabs/ Wall of Roses/ Adults: Sawyer Eaton, Olivia Gore
Trailer: Bode Bulhak & Family
CAST Little Prince: Bode Bulhak Aviator: Zora Penn Rose: Elisa Elbrami Snake: Simon Friedman Fox: Maddie Martinez King: Lily Dunham Conceited Man/ Chorus: Maya Willoughby Business Man/ Sketch Artist: Rebecca Randall Lamplighter: Sascha Belcove Geographer: Will Garrity Desert Flower/ Chorus: Sejal Patel Mountain Echo/ Chorus: Julian Vink Chorus/Baobabs/Wall of Roses/Adults: Sawyer Eaton, Olivia Gore
Synopsis His most famous work, T he Little Prince, tells the story of an aviator, downed in the desert and facing long odds of survival (inspired by the author’s own experience crash landing in the Libyan desert in 1935), who encounters a strange young prince, fallen to earth from a tiny asteroid where he lived alone with a single rose. The rose has made him so miserable that, in torment, he has taken advantage of a flock of birds to convey him to other planets. As Barry James in T he New York Times w rote: “A children’s fable for adults, T he
Little Prince was in fact an allegory of Saint-Exupéry’s own life—his search for childhood certainties and interior peace, his mysticism, his belief in human courage and brotherhood, and his deep love for his wife Consuelo but also an allusion to the tortured nature of their relationship.”
“…children are like sponges. They soak into their pores the essence of any book they read, whether they understand it or not … T he Little Prince will shine upon children with a sidewise gleam. It will strike them in some place that is not the mind and glow there until the time comes for them to comprehend it.” –P.L. Travers (author of M ary Poppins), T he New York Herald Tribune, 1943
SYNOPSIS His most famous work, The Little Prince, tells the story of an aviator, downed in the desert and facing long odds of survival (inspired by the author’s own experience crash landing in the Libyan desert in 1935), who encounters a strange young prince, fallen to earth from a tiny asteroid where he lived alone with a single rose. The rose has made him so miserable that, in torment, he has taken advantage of a flock of birds to convey him to other planets. As Barry James in The New York Times wrote: “A children’s fable for adults, The Little Prince was in fact an allegory of Saint-Exupéry’s own life—his search for childhood certainties and interior peace, his mysticism, his belief in human courage and brotherhood, and his deep love for his wife Consuelo but also an allusion to the tortured nature of their relationship.” “…children are like sponges. They soak into their pores the essence of any book they read, whether they understand it or not … The Little Prince will shine upon children with a sidewise gleam. It will strike them in some place that is not the mind and glow there until the time comes for them to comprehend it.” –P.L. Travers (Author of Mary Poppins) The New York Herald Tribune, 1943
Lily Dunham ( King): Lily is excited to be a part of The Little Prince and
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST Bode Bulhak (Little Prince): Bode Bulhak is honored and excited to make his debut in the Friends Seminary 7/8 Grade Play. His performing spark began in first grade when he performed as a very spirited snail in the musical Frog and Toad and continued the following year as one of the bad guys in Jack and the Beanstalk. Most recently he has acted as the Sports Double in the play Stunt Doubles, and also performed in a McDonald's commercial with his Dad. Along with plays and musicals, Bode has been playing the piano for seven years at various concert halls including Carnegie Hall, Steinway Hall, and Hunter College. Bode wishes he could be performing on stage, but realizes that there are some advantages to filming, like the cool special effects! Bode is very thankful that he could be a part of this play, and says a big thank you to his fellow actors and the whole Friends community, who have made this an amazing experience. He also wants to thank his parents, who helped him memorize lines, set up for filming, and were there for him when he needed it most. Zora Penn (Aviator): Zora Penn is thrilled to play her first theatrical role as the Aviator in The Little Prince. Although she has always enjoyed performing, she has never had the opportunity to be part of a show. She is learning to play the guitar and enjoys musical theatre, especially her favorite show, West Side Story. Zora is very excited to see the final project, because unlike a normal play the actors have not yet seen the set because everything is being filmed on a greenscreen. She would like to thank her mother, father, sister and pet cat Bernie for being a supporting audience in her life. Elisa Elbrami (Rose):E lisa Elbarmi, 13, plays the Rose in this production of the Little Prince. She previously participated in Lockers, Humpty Dumpty is Missing!, and Metamorphoses. She appreciates that her family helped her film her scenes. She enjoyed that the new filming process allowed her to experience different filming styles. She hopes you enjoy the play!
grateful to have the chance to act, even virtually, with her friends. Previously at Friends, she was cast as Elinda in Fly Away, which was cancelled when the pandemic struck. Outside of school, she performed in the opera La Boheme at the Kaye Playhouse. Thanks to my family and teachers for making theatre possible in this crazy year!!
Maya Willoughby ( Conceited Man): I have participated in the Friends plays every year, so Lockers (5th), Humpty Dumpty is Missing (as Rapunzel in 6th) and Metamorphoses (as Bacchus and a scientist/backstage worker in 7th). I also was in my 4th grade class play, Rainbow Crow. I am really grateful for my family and friends who helped me build up confidence in my acting. This new hybrid play/film style was definitely something new, but I did enjoy it. It was easier to attend rehearsals and we had multiple chances to film a scene, resulting in a better end product.
Rebecca Randall (Business Man/ Sketch Artist): This is Rebecca Randall's second production at Friends Seminary (Little Billy Goat Gruff, Humpty-Dumpty is Missing or The Mysterious Case of the Fallen Egg). She also had the role of Mrs. Corry in Mary Poppins (Creative Arts and Athletics NYC). Rebecca enjoys drawing, painting, and reading in her free time. She would like to thank her parents, Laurie and Mac, and her cat, Groucho, for their endless support.
Sascha Belcove (Lamplighter): Hello!! I’m Sascha Belcove, and this zoom play was a really interesting and unusual experience for me (as I’m sure it was for everyone involved). I’m insanely grateful to my friends for listening to my rants about how I was planning to perform my scene and the backstory I created for my character! I’ve performed in multiple plays before, one of my favorites being Peter Pan. However, this was my first virtual production, and it was incredibly memorable! I really loved connecting to the whole cast in a way I didn’t used to think possible over Zoom, and laughing at every single rehearsal! I was thrilled to feel the chemistry in the scenes that I’ve always been drawn to, making it feel almost like we were together on a stage. Although we didn’t have the privilege of having physical contact, we established meaningful bonds and
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST Bode Bulhak ( Little Prince): Bode Bulhak is honored and excited to make his debut in the Friends Seminary 7/8 Grade Play. His performin spark began in first grade when he performed as a very spirited snail in the musical Frog and Toad and continued the following year as one of the bad guys in Jack and the Beanstalk. Most recently he has acted as the Sports Double in the play Stunt Doubles, and also performed in a McDonald's commercial with his Dad. Along with plays and musicals, Bode has been playing the piano for seven years at various concert halls including Carnegie Hall, Steinway Hall, and Hunter College. Bode wishes he could be performing on stage, but realizes that there are some advantages to filming, like the cool special effects! Bode is very thankful that he could be a part of this play, and says a big thank you to his fellow actors and the whole Friends community, who have made this an amazing experience. He also wants to thank his parents, who helped him memorize lines, set up for filming, and were there for him when he needed it most. Zora Penn ( Aviator): Zora Penn is thrilled to play her first theatrical role as the Aviator in The Little Prince. Although she has always enjoyed performing, she has never had the opportunity to be part of a show. She is learning to play the guitar and enjoys musical theatre, especially her favorite show, West Side Story. Zora is very excited to see the final project, because unlike a normal play the actors have not yet seen the set because everything is being filmed on a greenscreen. She would like to thank her mother, father, sister and pet cat Bernie for being a supporting audience in her life. Elisa Elbrami ( Rose): Elisa Elbarmi, 13, plays the Rose in this production of
the Little Prince. She previously participated in Lockers, Humpty Dumpty is Missing!, and Metamorphoses. She appreciates that her family helped her film her scenes. She enjoyed that the new filming process allowed her to experience different filming styles. She hopes you enjoy the play!
Lily Dunham (King): L ily is excited to be a part of The Little Prince and grateful to have the chance to act, even virtually, with her friends. Previously at Friends, she was cast as Elinda in Fly Away, which was cancelled when the pandemic struck. Outside of school, she performed in the opera La Boheme at the Kaye Playhouse. Thanks to my family and teachers for making theatre possible in this crazy year!! Maya Willoughby (Conceited Man): I have participated in the Friends plays every year, so Lockers (5th), Humpty Dumpty is Missing (as Rapunzel in 6th) and Metamorphoses (as Bacchus and a scientist/ backstage worker in 7th). I also was in my 4th grade class play, Rainbow Crow. I am really grateful for my family and friends who helped me build up confidence in my acting. This new hybrid play/film style was definitely something new, but I did enjoy it. It was easier to attend rehearsals and we had multiple chances to film a scene, resulting in a better end product. Rebecca Randall (Business Man/ Sketch Artist): T his is Rebecca Randall's second production at Friends Seminary (Little Billy Goat Gruff, Humpty-Dumpty is Missing or The Mysterious Case of the Fallen Egg). She also had the role of Mrs. Corry in Mary Poppins (Creative Arts and Athletics NYC). Rebecca enjoys drawing, painting, and reading in her free time. She would like to thank her parents, Laurie and Mac, and her cat, Groucho, for their endless support. Sascha Belcove (Lamplighter): Hello!! I’m Sascha Belcove, and this zoom play was a really interesting and unusual experience for me (as I’m sure it was for everyone involved). I’m insanely grateful to my friends for listening to my rants about how I was planning to perform my scene and the backstory I created for my character! I’ve performed in multiple plays before, one of my favorites being Peter Pan. However, this was my first virtual production, and it was incredibly memorable! I really loved connecting to the whole cast in a way I didn’t used to think possible over Zoom, and laughing at every single rehearsal! I was thrilled to feel the chemistry in the scenes that I’ve always been drawn to, making it feel almost like we were together on a stage. Although we didn’t have the privilege of having physical contact, we established meaningful bonds and had lots of fun!
Simon Friedman (Snake): Simon Friedman is in 8th grade and plays the role of The Snake in “The Little Prince.” Simon had an astounding time getting to know and learn about his character, with his director: Kathyrn Maslak, co-director: Julie Hurley, and blocking director: Yael Nachajon in this odd time of having to pre-record and film this majestic production. Throughout rehearsals, Simon learned how to do Snake-like movements and snake sounds as a way of expressing the traits of this “all-powerful,” creepy and mysterious snake. Simon has been exceptionally joyful in having the opportunity to take part in past middle school productions including “Lockers,” “Sammy Scoop,” and “Metamorphoses.” Although Simon is extremely sad that the preparation for filming “The Little Prince” is finished, he cannot wait to continue with other plays and musicals in the future. Maddie Martinez (Fox): Maddie has performed in many plays, but her favorites are The Lorax, The Sound of Music, and Aladdin. Maddie thanks her parents for rushing her home in time for rehearsal and always being willing to help with anything. Maddie also thanks her sister for running lines with her. Maddie liked working on this play through Zoom because it was a new challenge that made her think about her character in a more creative way. Olivia Gore (Chorus): Olivia thanks her parents for letting her perform in multiple plays and musicals. She has previously performed in shows including The Wizard of Oz, Matilda, As You Like It, and Stunt Doubles. Olivia enjoyed being able to work with people from other grades and having the opportunity to perform even during these tough circumstances. She is looking forward to being back on stage with a live audience in 2022!
had lots of fun. Thank you for watching our show!! Will Garrity ( Geographer): William Garrity is a student from New York. He studies at Friends Seminary. He has been in productions of Metamorphoses and Godspeed. He currently lives with his parents.
Sejal Patel ( Desert Flower/ Chorus): Sejal is excited to be in her third theater production with Friends Seminary. She previously performed in Lockers (2017-2018), and Metamorphoses (2019-2020). Sejal enjoys playing soccer and tennis, and baking. Her favorite part of working on a hybrid film was learning a different way to produce a play. Thanks to Mom, Dad, Annika, and Kavi.
Julian Vink ( Mountain Echo/ Chorus): Julian Vink is very excited to be in a
play for the first time. He is very thankful to everybody who helped putting up his green screen before every rehearsal. He really enjoyed working with the amazing people who participated in the show, and he really likes that the show was still possible and it can look like everybody was together although the play was filmed at home.
Simon Friedman ( Snake): Simon Friedman is in 8th grade and plays the role of The Snake in “The Little Prince.” Simon had an astounding time getting to know and learn about his character, with his director: Kathyrn Maslak, co-director: Julie Hurley, and blocking director: Yael Nachajon in this odd time of having to pre-record and film this majestical film. Throughout rehearsals, Simon learned how to do Snake-like movements and snake sounds as a way of expressing the traits of this “all-powerful,” creepy and mysterious snake. Simon has been exceptionally joyful in having the opportunity to take part in past middle school productions including “Lockers,” “Sammy Scoop,” and “Metamorphoses.” Although Simon is extremely sad that the preparation for filming “The Little Prince” is finished, he cannot wait to continue with other plays and musicals in the future. Maddie Martinez ( Fox): Maddie has performed in many plays, but her
favorites are The Lorax, The Sound of Music, and Aladdin. Maddie thanks her parents for rushing her home in time for rehearsal and always being willing to help with anything. Maddie also thanks her sister for running lines with her. Maddie liked working on this play through Zoom because it was a new challenge that made her think about her character in a more creative way.
Olivia Gore ( Chorus): Olivia thanks her parents for letting her perform in
multiple plays and musicals. She has previously performed in shows including The Wizard of Oz, Matilda, As You Like It, and Stunt Doubles. Olivia enjoyed being able to work with people from other grades and having the opportunity to perform even during these tough circumstances. She is looking forward to being back on stage with a live audience in 2022!
Sawyer Eaton ( Chorus): Sawyer is thankful for her parents and friends
encouraging her to do the play. Sawyer has done three other school plays and two junior musicals at her local theatre. Sawyer has liked how well organized the new hybrid play/film is. She also likes the backgrounds the green screens have enabled actors to have in the play/film.
Sawyer Eaton (Chorus): Sawyer is thankful for her parents and friends encouraging her to do the play. Sawyer has done three other school plays and two junior musicals at her local theatre. Sawyer has liked how well organized the new hybrid play/film is. She also likes the backgrounds the green screens have enabled actors to have in the play/film. Will Garrity (Geographer): William Garrity is a student from New York. He studies at Friends Seminary. He has been in productions of Metamorphoses and Godspeed. He currently lives with his parents. Sejal Patel (Desert Flower/ Chorus): Sejal is excited to be in her third theater production with Friends Seminary. She previously performed in Lockers (2017-2018), and Metamorphoses (2019-2020). Sejal enjoys playing soccer and tennis, and baking. Her favorite part of working on a hybrid film was learning a different way to produce a play. Thanks to Mom, Dad, Annika, and Kavi. Julian Vink (Mountain Echo/ Chorus): Julian Vink is very excited to be in a play for the first time. He is very thankful to everybody who helped putting up his green screen before every rehearsal. He really enjoyed working with the amazing people who participated in the show, and he really likes that the show was still possible and it can look like everybody was together although the play was filmed at home.